Sports digest: NHL lockout drags on with no negotiations scheduled

Now the NHL and players' association aren't even talking by phone. With the lockout about to enter its third month, communications between the sides have come to a halt.

"No, we have not communicated today," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday. "No meetings scheduled, and no plans to meet."

After four straight days of negotiations in New York last week, talks broke off Friday night. Discussions resumed Sunday, but that lasted just 90 minutes.

"The players remain prepared to resume negotiations at any time," NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr said.

So far, 327 games -- those scheduled through Nov. 30 and the Jan. 1 Winter Classic -- have been canceled by the NHL.

A lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season.

College football

The Big 12 and SEC agreed to a 12-year deal with ESPN for the rights to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. A source said it's worth $80 million per year through 2026. The conferences recently picked that bowl as the site of their new marquee game, starting in the 2014 season. ESPN earlier this year reached a similar 12-year financial deal with the Pac-12 and Big Ten for the Rose Bowl. The person said a 12-year agreement between ESPN and the Orange Bowl will likely be announced soon. ESPN also is working on a 12-year deal for the entire playoff package that's been reported at $500 million per year.

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Florida will be without quarterback Jeff Driskel (sprained ankle) against Jacksonville State on Saturday and possibly against Florida State on Nov. 24.

Texas A&M police say freshman receiver Thomas Johnson is missing. The 18-year-old went to high school in Dallas and police believe he might have traveled to that area.

Soccer

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had four goals, including a bicycle kick from 30 yards, in Sweden's 4-2 exhibition win over visiting England. Also, the Netherlands and Germany drew 0-0, and France beat Italy 2-1. Lionel Messi and Argentina were held 0-0 in Saudi Arabia. Portugal, missing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, drew 2-2 in Gabon. Pedro Rodriguez scored twice to help Spain rout host Panama 5-1. Brazil and Colombia played to a 1-1 draw in East Rutherford, N.J.

A Brazilian hospital says Pele, 71, is undergoing physiotherapy following surgery on his right hip.

Douglas Quinn, the CEO of Dallas FC, is taking an indefinite leave from the MLS team after being accused of beating and choking his wife, Elizabeth, at a hotel in New York over the weekend. He's free on $20,000 bond.

Miscellany

Lindsey Vonn was released from a Vail, Colo., hospital, but details of her illness remain unclear and there's no indication of when she can begin skiing. On Tuesday her publicist said Vonn was "awaiting results from testing for severe intestinal pain."

Chellsie Memmel, 24, a three-time world champion and an Olympic silver medalist, has retired. Her gymnastics career had been hampered by injuries.